Dear Friends (and people who don’t know me, if you’re reading this)
When my husband Philip died in February, I nominated Alzheimer’s Research UK as the charity which should be considered instead of flowers. I know there are lots of worthy causes, this forum being one of them, but this seemed the most appropriate. We all know that for current and future sufferers of any form of dementia, scientific research is the only hope.
About two weeks after the funeral, one of Philip’s nieces contacted me and said she and her sister were going to take part in this charity’s Big Walk event near Cambridge in June, did I want to join them (9 miles – not exactly Iron Man material, but a big enough challenge for us!). Yes, I signed up, and I bravely ticked the box that I’d be willing to help with publicity surrounding this event (not having a clue as to what this might entail).
Since then, I have been contacted by their Media and Communications Manager who is looking for participants who are willing to give interviews to the local media to publicise the event. I’ve never done anything like this and my normal reaction would have been: no way, that’s not me. But then I thought of Norms and his herculean efforts to raise awareness, which can only be achieved with the use of media, and I thought of him and all the people who are at a stage where they could still benefit from a break-through in research, with the result that I felt it my duty to override my silly fears and agree to participate in this as well. I will keep you posted on the progress.
To remind me of how exactly this illness progressed and affected me in all its stages, I re-read some of my old posts and your replies, and I was blown away all over again by how much support, practical help and just genuine expression of feelings, thoughts and friendship I received through this forum. It was my lifeline at the time. I will do my best to mention this as well, as I know there are lots of carers out there who need that support but don’t even realise that they are carers, yet.
I see new joiners who sound as desperate as I did 3 years ago. I have confirmation that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but it involves some difficult individual decisions in the meantime.
Best wishes to all of you - Kathy
When my husband Philip died in February, I nominated Alzheimer’s Research UK as the charity which should be considered instead of flowers. I know there are lots of worthy causes, this forum being one of them, but this seemed the most appropriate. We all know that for current and future sufferers of any form of dementia, scientific research is the only hope.
About two weeks after the funeral, one of Philip’s nieces contacted me and said she and her sister were going to take part in this charity’s Big Walk event near Cambridge in June, did I want to join them (9 miles – not exactly Iron Man material, but a big enough challenge for us!). Yes, I signed up, and I bravely ticked the box that I’d be willing to help with publicity surrounding this event (not having a clue as to what this might entail).
Since then, I have been contacted by their Media and Communications Manager who is looking for participants who are willing to give interviews to the local media to publicise the event. I’ve never done anything like this and my normal reaction would have been: no way, that’s not me. But then I thought of Norms and his herculean efforts to raise awareness, which can only be achieved with the use of media, and I thought of him and all the people who are at a stage where they could still benefit from a break-through in research, with the result that I felt it my duty to override my silly fears and agree to participate in this as well. I will keep you posted on the progress.
To remind me of how exactly this illness progressed and affected me in all its stages, I re-read some of my old posts and your replies, and I was blown away all over again by how much support, practical help and just genuine expression of feelings, thoughts and friendship I received through this forum. It was my lifeline at the time. I will do my best to mention this as well, as I know there are lots of carers out there who need that support but don’t even realise that they are carers, yet.
I see new joiners who sound as desperate as I did 3 years ago. I have confirmation that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but it involves some difficult individual decisions in the meantime.
Best wishes to all of you - Kathy
Wouldn't it be marvellous to find a cure
